It feels like just yesterday I was packing up my car, saying goodbye to my friends and family, and moving into college for the first time. Back then, I was overwhelmed with emotions as this was my first time living on my own, with new experiences and an exciting yet scary road ahead. Now, I sit here weeks away from the end of my freshman year with that same overwhelming feeling, but for many different reasons. Going away to college has changed my life in so many positive ways. I could not have picked a better school for myself. I feel loved, happy, and truly enjoy myself here. As nice as it will be to be home and see my family and friends, I am really going to miss this place for the three months I am away.

Before college, I was never away from home for more than a week or two. My town was home to me and nowhere else could compare. However, now I can proudly say that I have found a new home away from home and it puts a smile on my face each and every day. College has given the safety and comfort of my old home in so many ways. As I walk around campus, I realize quite often that I am smiling. At first, I didn’t know why, but I have come to realize that its because I am lucky. Lucky enough to have found a home away from home. Lucky enough to go to school on a beautiful campus. Lucky enough to have finally found a place I feel like I truly belong. It just stuns to think about how I was in high school a year ago doing the same old routine, and now I am here, pursuing my goals and having a wonderful time doing so.

While college has given me so much joy, it has also provided me a great deal of stress. The classes are much harder than any classes I ever took in high school and I am also pursuing a very difficult major. The adjustment definitely wasn’t easy for me and I have struggled quite a bit with the difficulty of some of my classes. But despite the many, many late nights of studying and the tears that came along with grades or simply being stressed out, I am so thankful. Thankful I have the opportunity to attend an accredited university. Thankful that my classes push me beyond what I thought I was capable of. Thankful my classes have taught me that my career and path there won't be easy. And thankful that I truly have to work hard for what I want in life.

In addition to the never-ending school work, I have also gained some wonderful friends in the social area. Having previously struggled a bit with friends, college was a chance for me to start fresh. I figured I was going to a school with 30,000 people, I just need to find the right ones for me. And boy did I get lucky. I have met some of my best friends in the entire world here. I have found friends I love and that love me back. Friends that make me feel included. Friends that are always there by my side. And friends that I think I will be friends will far beyond my college years. I have met some of the most amazing people here and I cannot wait to see who else comes into my life in the coming future.

Overall, college has truly changed my life for the better. From providing me with the feeling of home to the school work, to the friends, I can honestly say that I walk around campus ever day smiling because of how lucky I feel. Moving away from all of this scares me, but I know I will be back in a few months doing it again with the people I love. I have learned so much about myself and others through the experiences I've had and could never thank college enough because in reality, it saved me.